2 replies to this topic

[Purrdy]

We live in the western part of Minneapolis MN and have 6 - 8 nesting pair of Orioles that summer here feeding on grape jelly, sugar water and mealworms. In the last week we have only seen 1 or 2 young - this year's hatch at the feeders. Is it possible that they are already migrating south? Typically they leave near the end of August but maybe with this horrible heat and humidity they decided to leave early? However 2 of this years Chickadee hatch are enjoying not only the mealworms but the grape jelly and sugar water - funny!

Your thoughts are greatly appreciated!

[cwj2323]

Here in Iowa the Orioles are among the last to arrive and the first to leave.  Also, I have read that sometimes when we think they have migrated, they just have been busy feeding bugs to the young.   But it sounds like you have had them in the past and are familiar with their behaviours.  It really could be anything.  We had Baltimore Orioles for the first time this spring, they stayed two weeks and then they were gone.  I brought this up with someone and she said some birds are very sensitive to their environment, so if something is off, they will move on.  

And welcome to Whatbird!  :)

[PAPA]

I had two familys of them this year and both brought there young to my feeder in the middle of July and Aug 1st was the last time I saw them, last year they left on Aug. 1st also, its like they have a calander in there nest and when the 1st of Aug. comes there gone, I still leave my feeder out with jelly for any migrating and also the house finchs like the jelly.